I always enjoy my issues of Drive. I am a four-time Subaru owner, with an
88 Loyale, a 92 Legacy, a 99 Forester and finally, a 2003 Baja.
When I read the article about the Baja, I decided that I would have the first one
in my area. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, my dealership received
my Baja. It arrived at 10 a.m. on a Friday and I took it home at 5 p.m. the same
day. We still have the Forester and we will always be a Subaru family. My Baja is
the best vehicle Ive ever driven. It drives like a charm, has plenty of room
for people and assorted stuff, and it looks really sporty and sharp.
I cant say enough about the quality and workmanship on all of my Subaru vehicles,
but I can say that I love my Baja and it was really worth the wait.

Leslie Nahodil
St. Albans, WV

Understanding Technology

Nice piece on torque
converters (Technically Speaking: Inside the Torque Converter, Drive,
fall 2002). As a gear head, Im generally interested in mechanics. Yet, Ive
never fully understood how torque converters work. While Ive always driven
sticks by preference, in part because of their relative simplicity, understanding
a technology leads me to more fully appreciate the device. In a few hundred words,
you elucidated a critical and sophisticated component present on most cars today.
Keep the technical pieces coming.

Neil Stylinski, via e-mail

Magic and Scout Go AWD

After six years of driving my Mercedes, it was time to find a new car. We were delighted
to settle in on our new Outback after nearly eight months of comparison shopping.

The hardy leather interior was essential! Magic and Scout go with the family everywhere!
The 3.0 engine is a delight to drive. We cant wait for snow to enjoy the All-Wheel
Drive. It works great in the mud and on side trips into the fields to run the pups!

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Forrest
Ben Avon, PA

House Call Vet

I was very interested in your article about Dr. Brett Kissela (Drive, fall
2002). I am a house call veterinarian in Colorado and rely on my 2000 Outback to
get to my clients homes. My practice encompasses Boulder and the surrounding
mountains. In winter, the Subaru All-Wheel Drive system has never let me down. Many
of my clients live up steep mountain roads and the Outback climbs them with ease.
Thank you for making such a well-built vehicle.

Bob Irmiger, DVM
Boulder, CO

Timely Tip

I have a new
Subaru Outback Sport wagon that I absolutely love. I had just finished reading your
Owners Ask section (Drive, fall 2002) about the parking light
rocker switch when I went to get my car washed. The car wash attendant who washed
my car and wiped the dash apparently bumped the rocker switch on top of the steering
column. When I got home and was leaving the car to go inside, I saw that the parking
lights were on. Thanks to your column, I knew exactly what to do to turn off the
lights. Thanks for the bizarrely timely information!

Lexey Bartlett
Arlington, TX

Curious Corgi

Your Answers from the Subaru Contact Center (Drive,
fall 2002) came a bit late. At my cabin, I discovered that the parking lights of
my 2003 Subaru Forester were on. I twisted the light control knobs, turned the key
off and on, pushed the flasher button on, then off. Seventeen miles from the nearest
town, I panicked. No one was nearby to help. Fortunately, I remembered the owners
manual and solved the problem. I puzzled over how the switch was activated. Kiera,
my 11-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi, had previously turned on the hazard flashers
twice. No doubt her busy little paws had activated the parking lights. Later, she
opened the passenger window, started the windshield wipers and locked her passenger
side door. I am trying to teach her to keep her paws off the dash, but corgis have
boundless energy and keep constant vigil on their surroundings. I fear her next
step will be using the cruise control. Fortunately, she cant reach the gas
pedal from the seat!

Lori Micken
Livingston, MT

Free Lunch and Temporary Tie-Down

This year, I purchased my first Subaru, an Impreza Outback wagon. I commute 500
miles per week in all types of weather, and I am extremely pleased with the vehicles
performance and durability. I especially like the safety of AWD in rainy and slippery
conditions. The Impreza has a much more solid and stable feel than other vehicles
Ive used. As a pilot and commercial airport owner, I thought I would try the
Subaru, since the Subaru E81 engine is often used in experimental aircraft applications.
Thanks for a fantastic product and magazine and keep up the good work.

PS: My airport is always open to Subaru owners (who are pilots) for a free lunch
and temporary tie-down!

Dennis Young
Keymar Airpark, MD

[Editors note: We recommend use of the Subaru engine for automotive applications
only.]

Mark and Karen Vogels wedding ceremony featured kayaks, a Subaru Outback,
Forester, and an Impreza!

Get Me to the River On Time

My new Forester carries kayaks quite nicely for all occasions, but never so proudly
as for our recent wedding. The ceremony was on water. We had a kayaking judge to
officiate, friends in canoes and a mermaid of honor. A Subaru Outback and an Impreza
transported other boats for the ceremony. All had a great time.

Mark and Karen Vogel
Seattle, WA

In the Land Before (and After) SUVs

Our family is on our third Subaru since 1980. Our first was a GL wagon, which took
us on many trips throughout the Western states. Before the era of SUVs, we went
on off-road camping adventures and trekked on rutted and washed-out mountain roads.
In 1997, this vehicle survived a tire blowout and a 360-degree spin-out on the freeway.
After a safe return home, we upgraded to an Outback and are now on our second Outback
and looking forward to upgrading to the 6-cylinder model. Weve had complete
faith in our Subaru for more than 20 years to take us just about anyplace we wanted
to go with a full complement of camping gear, rowing shell, bikes, dog and trailer.

Larry, Sandy and Jonathan McQueen
Beaverton, OR

Above and Beyond

We have owned many Subaru vehicles in the past, but have NEVER seen or read about
one being driven in the sand. Many of your articles show Subaru vehicles in the
woods, snow, creeks and mountains. This year we vacationed to the Outer Banks of
North Carolina. The rental house in Corova Beach was accessible only by four-wheel
drive and by riding a 10-mile stretch of beach at low tide. Our drive along Corova
Beach to the house was uneventful as our 1999 Forester AWD cruised along the strand
with the rest of the conventional 4x4s!

Kenneth and Maureen Zebrowski
Rahway, NJ

[Editors note: Care should be taken when driving any vehicle off-road. Please
see your Subaru Owners Manual for details.]

For other customer service-related questions, comments and product information,
contact us at (800) SUBARU-3 [(800) 782-2783] or simply visit our Contact Us page.

We reserve the right to edit all letters and articles sent for publication in Drive
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* Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features and models subject to change without notice.

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